Insulating-caster and electric switch combined



Patented Aug. 2, I898.

A. W. SLAYTON.

INSULATING CASTER AND ELECTRIC SWITCH COMBINED.

(Application filed May 18, 1898.)

(No Model.)

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

AUGUSTUS IV. SLAYTON, OF TECUMSEH, MICHIGAN.

INSULATING-CASTER AND ELECTRIC SWITCH COMBINED.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 608,234, dated August 2, 1898.

Application filed May 13,1898, Serial No. 681,031, (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Beit known that I, AUGUSTUS W. SLAYTON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Tecumseh, in the county of Lenawee and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in an Insulating-Caster and Electric Switch Combined, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to that class of insulators specifically designed for insulating bedsteads, couches, &c., for the relief of invalids suffering from rheumatism or neuralgia.

The electricinsulation of bedsteads having been found to be beneficial to sufferers from rheumatism or neuralgia, while with healthy people it is liable to produce opposite effects, it is the object of my invention to produce a device suitable for both conditions; and to this end the invention consists in combining with a caster having a wheel of glass or other insulating substance a movable electric switch-contact arranged to nullify, if desired, the effect of insulation produced by said wheel, all as more fullyhereinafter described, and shown in the drawings, which represent in elevation two well-known forms of casterwheels to which my invention is shown applied, and which in- Figure 1 represents the insulating and Fig. 2 the non-insulated condition of the caster.

Referring to the drawings, A is the spindle, B in Fig. l the socket for the spindle, O the forked bracket which carries the casterwheel, D the caster-wheel, and E the pin upon which the caster-wheel is journaled in the bracket, all constructed and arranged to operat'e in known manner, except as hereinafter described.

In carrying out my invention I make the caster-wheel D of glass, and to the bracket I pivotally secure in any suitable manner a metallic contact-arin F. This I preferably pivot upon the pin E in the side of the bracket, and its operation is such that while it may be readily turned by hand it turns with enough friction to maintain its position.

In practice the legs of the bed to be insulated are provided with the caster-wheels of this construction, attached thereto in the usual manner, and if it is desired to insulate the bed the contact-arm is turned in the position shown in Fig. 2, while if turned into the position shown in Fig. 1 the c0ntact-arm touches the floor, and thus provides for electric connection between the legs of the bed and the floor.

WVhat I claim as my invention is An insulating-caster, the wheel of which is made of glass combined with a metallic contact-arm pivotally secured to the metallic frame or support of the cast-er and adapted to form an electric connection with the floor.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

AUGUSTUS \V. SLAYTON.

lVitnesses:

ALFRED JAMES, GEo. S. TIFFANY. 

